Study says Scots on streets need ‘more accessible’ dental care

One in five homeless people in Scotland suffer from poor oral hygieneGETTY IMAGES

Scottish academics are calling for improved dental and psychiatric help for the homeless amid evidence that one in five had poor oral hygiene while almost two-thirds suffer from depression.

Researchers from Dundee and Stirling universities found that depression and dental anxiety — fear of visiting the dentist— were more prevalent among the homeless than the general population. They concluded that homeless people in Scotland needed “more accessible” dental care.

The findings raise concern that the homeless may face a higher risk of serious illness, in light of recent studies suggesting a link between oral health and cancer.

A paper published earlier this year by the University of Helsinki suggested the bacteria that cause periodontitis, a disease affecting the gums and surrounding tissue, may play a…

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